From NBC News: More than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit since a partial government shutdown that began on Feb. 14 has left them working without pay, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Funding was shut off to DHS over demands by Democrats for reforms at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection following alleged abuses and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
There has also been a national callout rate of 10% at TSA on more than half the days of the last week, Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, said Saturday in response to questions.
TSA has around 65,000 employees, with 50,000 front-line officers responsible for airport security. Almost half of the TSA officers who quit during the shutdown have over three years of experience, and a third have over five years.
The shutdown is a nightmare for TSA workers, who face incredible financial hardship, and passengers, who deal with sometimes incredibly increased wait times, inducing frustration and anxiety during travel at airports.
‘GET READY’: Trump proposes plan for ICE to handle airport travel hell caused by shutdown
Read more at NBC News
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